Curfew Bylaw - Will it help?
Published April 6, 2005
Like all municipalities in Canada, Strathcona County faces many challenges when it comes to property crime and use of illicit narcotics and drugs. What can we do? Certainly we can hire more enforcement personnel, which we do. Crime and Drug laws are Provincial and Federal responsibilities and municipalities cannot enact legislation in these areas.
One thing we can do is take a stand and attempt to eliminate the opportunity to commit a crime or become involved in drug usage by passing a Curfew Bylaw. At present 17 municipalities in Alberta have such a bylaw.
Generally speaking, most property crime that affects municipalities occurs during late night and early morning hours. During my time as the Detachment Commander at Strathcona Detachment, I patrolled on the night shift from time to time. During all those times, between say 9:00 p.m. and as late as 4:00 a.m., I would see large groups of 12-17 years olds walking about the streets. The question I had of course was, what are these youths doing out at those hours? I am not for one moment suggesting that all the youths on the street at those hours are criminals. Far from it, I fully acknowledge that the greater majority of youth are law abiding citizens. I just cannot rationalize why youths of that age were out on the street at such hours.
That takes me back to what can a municipality do to help. As I have commented, we can pass a Curfew Bylaw, and take away the opportunity to become involved in anti-social behaviour. By having such a Bylaw, we as a municipality might be able to save one person from ruining their life through such behaviour and in my mind that is worth it. Such a Bylaw would not be onerous. It would restrict youths under the age of 18 from being in a public place between certain hours with variations for summer and winter. Exemptions for work and extra-curricular activities would be in place. The enforcement aspect of the Bylaw would allow the police/bylaw officer to approach youths, during the prohibited hours, to verify their circumstance or intent and either take the youths home or call their parents to pick them up.
Should we take such a step? My thoughts are yes we should. I believe that there does come a time that when for the greater good of the community, there is a need to be decisive and take action and that time is now. Your thoughts or comments would be appreciated by calling 464-8265, or
Peter Wlodarczak
Councillor, Ward 4
780-464-8146
wlodarczak@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Page ID: 1952